December 2017 Surgery Group

Welcome fembot and jjsmom! Sorry you have to be here.

JJ's mom - I'm in awe of you. You are already going in for your 2 fill up? My surgery was a week later and I haven't had any fill ups yet. Weds I probably will but am super nervous about it since my chest muscles are aching and cramping up frequently.

BTW- My left TE's/booblet is about 1/2 inch lower than the other. Will that be a permanent thing or do you think it can be straightened out when I have the exchange?

Hi Tracy, oh poor you! That sounds really tough with your nipple, and not being able to stand straight or lie down properly! You're really had bad luck with the seromas too.... I hope things start improving quickly. Definitely sounds like PT would be a good idea.

My seroma is now so small and insignificant that I hardly notice it unless I'm poking around in there. I saw my surgeon today & he said everything is healing fine. I got the post op pathology results & I've been re-staged to stage 1 as the tumor ended up being 1.7 cm.

No news on oncotype yet. I'm in Canada so I guess it takes longer for it to get sent across the border. I'm meeting my oncologist on the 24th & I hope they have it then. Have you got your oncotype results?

Hang in there Tracy & I hope your Thursday appointment goes well!

Thanks for the welcome PS, it sucks to be here but at least we all have each other to lean on! Super excited for tomorrow's fill even though I was really sore for a day and a half last time, I try to focus on the fact that it's one step closer to this whole thing being over and moving on. I think they will be able to make adjustments during the exchange maybe it's just the way your te is laying. Keep me posted

How many cc’s have you had each fill? If you don’t mind me asking what size were you before and where are you looking to be after? I was a 36C. I currently have 250cc’s in each side after today’s fill and am nowhere near back to my pre- surgical siz

Good morning,

I only had 50 cc at surgery, my skin was too tight for any more. I saw the oncologist last week and also no chemo/ radiation/ no anything, have to see her in a year and then hopefully never again! I’m sore this morning but I don’t think it’s as bad as last time, I’ll see as the day goes on. Going into work for a few hours today, hope you have a great day

Hi bn ... I’m on Gabapentin for Siatic nerve pain , 390mg 3 Times a day, but have only been taking it at night, after my surgery I was getting sharp stabbing pains and was told it was nerves regenerating, I increased the meds to 2-3 times a day and it has really helped. Some people have commented that Valium has helped them. Good luck with your recovery

Good morning , hope everyone is well this Sunday morning

Thinking ahead, as I usually do, was wondering if anyone here is in the Orlando/Daytona area and if so, do you know / recommend someone who does the 3D nipple tattooing? My ps is talking about surgery to create a nipple from skin harvested from somewhere on my body but I’m not sure if I want to go through yet another surgery after exchange and concerned about “ the headlights” being on all the time! Any advice, experiences, recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

Moth-

Good luck on your exam. Please keep us all updated on your progress.

Tracy

Hi! just wanted to check in. I am six weeks post DIEP surgery. I am still doing well! The incisions have all healed and my new breasts are still nice and warm. They are not as swollen or tender as however there is still some tenderness.

I think it was about week 4 for I was able to stand up straight and around the same time I was able to lay in the bed. 😊💃🏽💃🏽 I still had to put a pillow beneath my knees to release a bit of tension but for the most part I was flat. What a wonderful feeling to be in a bed and not in a chair! For those of you who have recently undergone surgery, keep the faith! It gets better. It really does.

I had therapy at home once the drains came out (mine were out at 2 weeks) and at week 5 I trNsito outpatient therapy. I can definitely say that stretching makes a huge difference! It is key to regaining your range of motion so don’t overlook its importance. If you can’t get a therapy, ask your breast surgeon to give you a list of allowable stretches.

I have this same question about nipple reconstruction and tattoosbut for the Atlanta area. Not sure if I want the look of 3D or want to do a physical one with a good tattoo. I'm an artist and picky about colors🤪 weird but true. I saw the video about the guy in Baltimore that is amazing and now I want someone that good!

PrincessButtercup, I'm meeting with the oncologist on the 24th. I hope to finally find out then! I'm so impatient.

I'm physically feeling ok; I see a PT tomorrow just for a check up and to make sure my range of motion is where it should be. Mentally I'm getting a bit frazzled with feeling like I'm in a holding pattern.
I wrote my exam today and the prof emailed me in the evening that I did fine & she's submitting my final grades to the registrar so that's one thing I can tick off my list.

I saw on the Jan chemo board that you've started. Hope you keep the nausea and hiccups at bay! Hang in there. Would sucking on ice chips help at all?

Tracy - how are you doing? Is the sleeping and getting comfy in bed thing better?

Moth, I'm so sorry that you have to keep waiting! The good news is that once it gets shipped out there, they get it done pretty quickly. That was my experience. Be strong, not much longer.

Just found this group, had DIEP reconstruction in December. The 2017 DIEP group seems to be winding down but I have quite a way to go till I am done! I have had a few set backs. Some fat necrosis. An open wound at the moment. Stage 2 surgery not till end of May... ugg. I know I am supposed to be patient and optimistic but I am kind of anxious and bummed out. Hoping to compare notes with anyone else having had DIEP.

Tracy 1972: hi, just wanted to say regarding Tamoxifen, I have been on for 6.5 years and for me it is a non-event. In the very beginning I had some headaches vaguely like a mild hangover, I think that was just an adjustment to cells not receiving estrogen. No instant menopause, no flashes, bone pain, nothing. Good luck!!

Sopho, I'm sorry to hear that. That is a long time to recover. Did you have complications or is it just a bunch of little things that are still resolving?
I hope it is all back to normal soon.

I'm fine but my boob is still blue from the tracer dye.

ps0705 - yes I had mine done on March 12th. It was a breeze - so much easier than I thought it would be. It’s nice to be rid of the expanders too. You’ll be happy to have this surgery behind you. Good wishes for your upcoming surgery!